tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21017368002267573402009-12-19T16:41:41.383-06:00Lymphadema LifeA blog about . . . yes, living with lymphadema. Managing this disease, education, discussion, solutions, support, venting, and generally making the best of a bad situation. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, so the opinions and posts here are not from a medical professional - see one if you need help.jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-17386117120374359962009-03-04T11:32:00.013-06:002009-03-04T14:06:39.713-06:00Feeling Good About Yourself Despite LymphedemaI have been remiss in updating this blog, but I will try to remedy that. I received a couple of emails recently asking about or referencing self-esteem and coping with lymphedema. It reminded me that the struggles I have are shared by other people and the best thing we can do is support each other and help each of us learn to take the best care of our bodies that we can, but most of all, be kind jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-45453207678977824092008-08-01T11:15:00.005-05:002008-08-01T11:19:00.556-05:00Protein-Rich FluidIf you find the term"protein rich fluid" confusing, here's some information that will help clear this matter up:Lymphedema: Protein-Rich Lymph Fluid and the Roll of Dietary Protein Since the fluid associated with lymphedema is protein-rich a question that often arises is, “Should I stop eating protein so there won’t be protein in this fluid?” The answer to this question is, “Nojujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-63047363694543634172008-07-20T14:41:00.003-05:002008-07-20T14:43:25.684-05:00Lymphadema and NutritionAnother great postThere is no special diet that will prevent or control lymphedema; however, good nutrition promotes good health and this helps the body manage with the stresses related to lymphedema. The main recommendations are eat a low sodium diet and keep hydrated. Eating a Balanced Diet Eating a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables is recommended for jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-28048639910477054482008-07-15T22:43:00.003-05:002008-07-15T22:51:13.101-05:00Basic Lymphadema Care Tips
Here's a great article about a couple basic things you can do to help with your lymphadema.
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-82792605237669085092008-07-03T18:10:00.003-05:002008-07-03T18:12:46.087-05:002008 Horizon of HopeLongaberger Horizon of Hope to Raise Money for American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Initiatives Horizon of Hope Products Available at 20 Percent Off for Limited Time NEWARK, Ohio--The Longaberger Company is kicking off its 2008 Horizon of Hope campaign with a special offer that will enable customers to buy Horizon of Hope products at a 20 percent discount while also supporting American jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-62980909067192254902008-07-01T15:21:00.002-05:002008-07-03T18:09:44.257-05:00The first time I see a patient is for the evaluation. At the end of the evaluation I give my patients a packet of information to take home and read, instruct them in the Anatomy and Physiology of the Lymph System, and give them two things to get a head start on before we initiate our treatments. These two things are: Any time you wash, dry, or lotion the swollen arm/leg, always rub up jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-52841826763492354662008-06-27T15:49:00.003-05:002008-06-27T15:54:01.224-05:00Healthy Skin MaintainanceAnother Great Article:Maintaining healthy skin is essential for those with lymphedema because intact skin, with no scrapes or cuts, prevents bacteria from entering and causing infection. The swelling of lymphedema stretches the skin and disrupts the skin’s basic protective mechanisms. Also, as lymphedema increases in severity the skin loses its elasticity, becomes thicker and scaly, and is jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-69731192274447190462008-06-16T11:05:00.002-05:002008-06-16T11:09:30.309-05:00Lymphadema and InfectionsSkin infections are something that people with Lymphadema deal with on a regular basis. Here is a good article with information about infections, and especially cellulitis which can become life threatening if left untreated.Infections that can develop within the affected tissues are a serious complication associated with lymphedema. The risk of infection increases when lymphedema is not jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-758497687400869472008-04-10T14:39:00.003-05:002008-04-10T14:46:28.243-05:00Article on SwellingThis article was featured at "The Hook." I thought some of you might be interested in it. There is also some interesting issues and questions being raised in the comments section. It would be worth checking out.DR. HOOK- Big head: Swelling of parts has many causes by JOHN HONG, MD, published April 10, 2008Ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer must have had a pretty big ego to think he could hire jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-57625859066459552072008-04-08T22:43:00.002-05:002008-04-08T22:51:55.725-05:00Signs and Symptoms of Lymphedema If you have come here wondering what lymphedema is, or wondering if you could possibly be developing it, here is a brief overview of symptoms that could indicate lymphedema. Mostly a persons History, Observations, Measurements, Signs and Symptoms diagnose Lymphedema. These include: Swelling of a limb or body part.Swelling that is pitting in nature (pressure leaves an indentation (pitjujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-89107536479951463822008-04-02T17:43:00.005-05:002008-04-02T17:58:40.691-05:00Reality CheckSometimes when you're feeling bad about your situation and the struggles you face with lymphedema, sometimes you just need a little perspective on things."Everyone deserves to be beautiful"jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-20837103544292476372008-04-01T11:57:00.002-05:002008-04-01T12:00:12.636-05:00The Best MedicineThe most wasted of all days is one without laughter.–E.E. Cummingsjujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-17272403391514869992008-03-25T19:37:00.006-05:002008-03-25T20:34:01.724-05:00Lymphatic FluidMany people that I meet are puzzled by lymphadema. They usually ask me right away if a doctor can prescribe something that will remove the fluid. In my head I'm usually wanting to scream, "WOW what a mind blowing thought! Do you honestly not think I've already thought of THAT?!" but because I was raised with manners, I control myself and explain that the fluid that builds up in lymphedema isn't jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-20540995175999895582008-03-20T10:56:00.002-05:002008-03-20T11:01:06.575-05:00This is bit of a refresher - but it's always good to keep a focus on the root of a problem if you are looking for solutions, so here it is again . . .WHAT IS THE LYMPH SYSTEMMany have never heard of the Lymphatic System, let alone Lymphedema. So before talking of Lymphedema we need to take a look at what the Lymph System is and how it works. When we take a look at the body from the outside in, jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-37637230349861317602008-03-18T13:30:00.002-05:002008-03-18T13:36:24.679-05:00Living with LymphedemaThis is a really good video posted on youtube by Earl Chicoine from Montreal who tells what it's like to live with lymphedema of the legs, a debilitating disease caused from a build-up of lymph fluid under the skin.I found the video very poignant and touching.jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-40613253958988795902008-03-11T09:33:00.006-05:002008-03-11T10:00:09.480-05:00In An Unlikely PlaceThe other day I happened to be perusing paper dolls online, for a reason that has nothing to do with lymphadema, when I discovered these paperdolls which made me do a double take.Now, I'm not saying the dolls have bilateral lower extremity lymphedema and possibly lipedema - but take a look at them for yourself and you tell me!I just had to share them with you.jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-91728163227400516012008-03-07T19:38:00.002-06:002008-03-07T19:44:29.870-06:00Marilyn Wesstbrook Garment FundThis was posted by the National Lymphadema Network's Executive Director Saskia R.J. Thiadens, R.N. and may be helpful information for someone needing financial help with compression garments.The Marilyn Wesstbrook Garment FundAn IntroductionIt is with tremendous pleasure that I introduce the NLN Garment Fund.This is a dream that has come true not only for me, but for our manypatients who do not jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-32035383596526255992008-03-06T14:10:00.004-06:002008-03-06T14:36:28.438-06:00Lastest DevelopmentsI'm always on the lookout for new lymphadema treatments or studies - hope springs eternal and all that! I'm certainly not giving up and I want to remain open about treatment options. I saw a few things recently in the news that intrigued me so I thought I would share them.The first thing is 10 year study that was done on lymph "replacement" surgery, where lymph nodes were harvested from "healthy"jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-27295207476189029852008-03-02T10:51:00.003-06:002008-03-02T11:18:28.198-06:00Lymphadema Fact SheetBob Weiss, lymphactivist, has drafted a basic fact sheet for lymphadema. Here is his list:LYMPHEDEMA FACT SHEET There are between two and eight million lymphedema sufferers in the U.S.Lymphedema is a swelling of a limb or part of the body that is caused by a functional inability of the lymphatic system to transport intercellular lymphatic fluid back to the circulatory system.Lymphedema can jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-31465700764508370292008-02-24T15:05:00.004-06:002008-02-24T15:22:11.657-06:00The Lymphadema / Lipedema ConnectionMany people who suffer from lymphadema may also have a condition called "lipedema" which is deifined in Wikipedia as "a disorder of adipose tissue distinguished by five characteristics: 1) it can be inherited; 2) it occurs almost exclusively in women; 3) it can occur in women of all sizes, from the anorexic to the morbidly obese; 3) it involves the excess deposit and expansion of fat cells in anjujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-66622636283560189732008-02-21T11:40:00.004-06:002008-02-21T11:50:48.196-06:00The Ledbed Method Helps Lymphadema SufferersHere is another article that deals with the excercise program called "The Ledbed Method" I had never heard of it before reading these articles, but it sounds very intriquing - and I'm very impressed that Ms. Flynn sells her jewelry to help lymphadema sufferers purchase compression garments - that's such a wonderful thing to do! This particular article ran in the Pennisula Gateway out of jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-6709873933739879912008-02-19T22:33:00.004-06:002008-02-19T22:48:08.564-06:00This article appeared in the Orange Country Register Health Column. It's an interesting idea for exercises designed for women recovering from breast cancer and those who may also be suffering from lymphadema that sometimes accompanies breast surgery.What if I told you blowing bubbles – those kiddie ones that come with a wand in a plastic bottle – should be part of your morning fitness routine? jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-13009664200902872282008-02-12T10:32:00.000-06:002008-02-12T12:26:16.508-06:00Natural Healing of LymphademaFor the past few weeks I have been trying a new direction in managing my lymphadema. I have been going to a holisitic practioner for detoxing. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, and I respect your right to choose your own treatment, but for me, I want to see if I can find another solution. I'm somewhat nervous to reveal the particulars of the treatment because I'm not sure if it will work jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-40069982428686139822008-02-04T20:53:00.000-06:002008-02-04T21:03:09.898-06:00A Creative Therapy for LymphademaFrom the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center comes this interesting information about using creative writing as therapy for lymphadema. This sounds like a very worthy avenue to explore to help people suffering from lymphadema. by Kathy Rivers Thanks to a three-year grant from the American Cancer Society, Sheila Ridner, Ph.D., R.N., assistant professor of Nursing at the Vanderbilt University jujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2101736800226757340.post-33546629563231584002008-02-01T13:57:00.000-06:002008-02-01T14:03:56.581-06:00Big Lue Needs HelpThis article was in the Belize Newspaper "The Reporter" please contact them for more information or with any questions you have about the following story:“I need the surgery ,so I can work and to help save my Life.”- says 630 pound north side Belize City resident Lewelyn Meighan.People all over the world are constantly battling with weight issues. Llewelyn “Big Lue” Meighan, 29, is also a memberjujuvioletbluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886985747528458783noreply@blogger.com0